Pacific Grove, California: An Insider's Guide for Visitors
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You Will Fall In Love In Pacific Grove
Nestled between Monterey and the Pacific Ocean, Pacific Grove is the convergence of forest and sea, perfumed with pine trees and ocean mist. It is a vacation destination and vibrant community.
Glean insight and tips for a rich and full experience of Pacific Grove from someone who deeply loves the place. Siblings Monterey, Carmel and Pebble Beach all live up to their well-earned reputations of stunning beauty and charm, leaving Pacific Grove out of much of the limelight. And that makes all the difference.
Welcome to Pacific Grove, California.
New Flickr Photos
Collision
Rough Seas
Point Pinos Lighthou...
Panoramic Ocean View
Agitation
View Down Marine Gar...
Coastal View in Paci...
Lovers Point Beach
Lovers Point Park
Hungry Squirrel
Do Something. Or Just Be.
So many choices...
You will be disappointed here. Very disappointed if you thrive on night clubs or constant action. Pacific Grove is not Las Vegas. If you are content with just being entertained, which at times can be a fine option, you may want to keep looking.
Pacific Grove is a better match for folks who want to be engaged while just being themselves. Or unplugging. There are great opportunities to unplug and unwind. And to be entertained. Around here that is usually under the jurisdiction of sea otters, harbor seals and whales.
Here is the beginning of a list of possibilities for you.
The Monterey Bay Aquarium
One of the best aquariums in the world! The Monterey Bay Aquarium educates, entertains, inspires and is endlessly fascinating. There are touch pools where you can (gently) meet a sea cucumber, starfish or decorator crab. Or on the other end of the food chain, guest Great White sharks may be in house. The Monterey Bay Aquarium respectfully connects the inhabitants of the ocean to us.There is a great restaurant in the aquarium that only uses sustainable seafood and lots of locally grown food. The multiple gift shops have great variety from trinkets to works of art.
Partially in Pacific Grove and at the northern end of Cannery Row, the Aquarium is accessible by foot or bike from the Rec Trail. There are metered parking spots and lots around Cannery Row.
Monterey Bay Aquarium Primers
A Field Guide to the Monterey Bay Aquarium
Amazon Price: (as of 12/15/2009) 
Monterey Bay Aquarium
Amazon Price: (as of 12/15/2009)
Jellyfish in Monterey Bay Aquarium, Monterey Bay, USA Framed Photographic Poster Print by John Elk III, 29x21
Amazon Price: (as of 12/15/2009)
- The Monterey Bay Aquarium
- Sea Kayaking
Great Walks
Surf
Bike
Golf
Go Tidepooling
Get hitched
Steinbeck
Bring your paints
Pt. Pinos Lighthouse
Asilomar
Pacific Grove Web Cams
- Sea Otter Cam
- Compliments of the Monterey Bay Aquarium. These are the Aquariums resident sea otters, as they could not be rehabilitated to the point where they could return to the wild. This camera is live 7:00AM - 7:00PM PST. I could watch them for hours!
- Monterey Bay Cam
- From the Monterey Bay Aquarium's deck and looking onto Monterey Bay and toward Pacific Grove. This camera is live 7:00AM - 7:00PM PST and complements of the Monterey Bay Aquarium.
- NOAA Pacific Grove Cam
- From the NOAA Station in Pacific Grove.
- Pebble Beach Golf Cam
- Just a stone's throw from Pacific Grove are live views of the 17th and 18th holes at Pebble Beach. Complements of the Pebble Beach Company.
- Big Sur Cam
- About 30 miles down the coast is Big Sur. This is the view from Nepenthe Restaurant in Big Sur.
Green Gables Inn, Ocean View Ave, Pacific Grove
Great Restaurants of Pacific Grove
The Celebrated and A Few Hidden Gems
- Passionfish
- The unpretentious reigning empress of Pacific Grove eateries! Sets the bar for seafood. Huge wine list offered at retail prices. Really. I love this place. Excellent staff and owner-operators you'll want to stand up and cheer for. The Gold Standard.
- Red House Cafe
- Downtown Pacific Grove. Fresh, European-inspired, California homecookin'. The interior reminds me of a Swedish country home- maybe due to the color scheme and fireplace. Anyway, they always deliver a great meal, offer a fine selection of tea, libations and fresh desserts. Dog-friendly area too.
- The Fishwife
- Excellent seafood and within walking distance of Asilomar. I'm partial to the calamari salad and the crab tostaditas. (Say hi to Anita, your hostess. She is a legend with incredible ties to Old Hollywood.)
- Pepper's
- Downtown Pacific Grove; Very good Cal-Mex, including fresh seafood offerings, corn chowder, and good desserts.
More Great Restaurants of Pacific Grove
The Celebrated and The Insider's Hidden Gems
Matteo's- First generation, family-owned, cozy, Italian place. Very tasty! They don't accept credit cards so prepare in advance (although they do have a small ATM if you are in a pinch).Cheap Eats:
Michael's Taqueria- They do a mean burrito.
Trader Joe's (picnic ingredients)
Everyone's Harvest Certified Farmer's Market- Monday evenings downtown Pacific Grove. Get to know the local farmers and eat locally grown, super food.
Monterey, Carmel & Pacific Grove 2009 Calendar
The Monterey Peninsula. Everyday.
Amazon Price: $12.99 (as of 12/15/2009)
The Steinbeck Centennial Collection: The Grapes of Wrath, Of Mice and Men, East of Eden, The Pearl, Cannery Row, Travels With Charley, In Search of America (Boxed Set)
Brush up on your Steinbeck before visiting his old Pacific Grove haunts.
Amazon Price: $56.07 (as of 12/15/2009)
Monterey Peninsula, The: A Postcard Journey
Old School. And cool.
Amazon Price: $29.95 (as of 12/15/2009)
Big Sur to Big Basin: California's Dramatic Central Coast
Amazon Price: $21.56 (as of 12/15/2009)
Make It Happen
Getting Wild In Pacific Grove
Animals of Pacific Grove
Monarch Butterflies
Harbor Seals
Sea Lions
Mountain Lions
Whales
Deer
